Treadmills are an excellent way to improve the fitness and health of beginners to advanced athletes. They provide a safe and comfortable way to get an intense jogging or walking workout that is easier on the joints. While treadmills are a good choice for anyone interested in exercising, they come with such a variety of options and specifications, that it can be difficult to find the right machine for you. The large price tag can make it especially puzzling to compare treadmills' pace, incline, distance, monitors and workout features. This list of top-rated treadmills will help you find the one that is best for your fitness needs and home.

1. Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

This is the top-rated treadmill among users and provides the largest running surface available with a 20 by 60 inch belt. Weighing almost 300 pounds with 3.0 horsepower, it is a sturdy, professional-quality machine that provides an optimized experience with features like quick incline, quick-speed keys to reach your favorite settings, personalized workout programs, grip and telemetric heart rate monitors, body mass index tests, and a unique cushioning system. It includes a backlit LCD computer display, a speed range up to 11 mph and an incline up to 12%.

2. Sole F80 Treadmill, 2011 Model

This is the newest model of the very popular Sole F80 treadmill with some updated features that make it a close competitor with the #1 rated Bowflex. The Sole treadmill is always a favorite because of its durability and safety features. It is commonly found in hotels, since it serves such diverse skill levels and provides a 3 second countdown before the belt moves, a 6-8 second slow build to full speed, rubber-grip handrails, a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor, and speed and incline controls on the display and handles. Along with typical Sole professional-grade quality and features, this model includes a longer deck of 20 by 60 inches, a vibrant and improved 7.5 inch display, and a scrolling message board that updates you on your progress. It is a heavy-duty machine to accommodate athletes, but also has a special automatic folding system for convenient storage. This treadmill has a 3.0 hp motor, can reach 12 mph and 15 % incline, and has a 350 lb user capacity.

3. Nautilus T516 Treadmill

This is a newcomer in the treadmill market by the ever-popular Bowflex. It is quiet and sturdy, and provides all the standard features of high-end machines, such as 3.2 hp motor, up to 15 mph speeds, a max 15% incline, a cushioned 20 by 58 inch surface area, 26 workout programs, chest heart rate monitoring, and up to 350 lb user capacity. The features that people particularly like on this model are the blue display, the option of programming 2 personal profiles, easy assembly, a more stable belt that does not slip out of place, and its sleek appearance.

4. Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill

This is a good, basic treadmill to select if you don't want to invest a lot. Though it doesn't have quite the same power and features as more expensive models, it is quiet and sturdy with a hydraulic shock system that aids in lifting and lowering the deck for storage. With a 2.25 hp motor, speeds up to 10 mph, 10 % max incline, pulse grip heart rate monitors, and 9 programming options to track calories burned and exercise stats, it is a great value for the money.

5. Schwinn 860 Treadmill

With a dual screen LCD monitoring system, this Schwinn treadmill makes it simple to monitor your stats and progress. It is a well-rated and powerful treadmill with a 3.0 hp motor, grip and chest heart rate monitors, max speed speed of 12 mph, a 12 % max incline, a 20 by 58 inch running surface, and a selection of 20 pre-programmed workouts with the ability to make customized selections. Some especially great features are its very quiet operation, the wheels and hydraulic system for lifting and storing the machine, its excellent suspension, and a magnetic key with a separate power button for ultimate safety.

6. LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill

This LifeSpan treadmill provides the standard features that you can expect of high-end machines, but has an especially attractive and sleek console design with unique technology options, such as a program that keeps your heart rate within your pre-determined range, a USB storage device to save your exercise data and send it to a comprehensive online fitness program, and 17 workout programs. It has a 2.25 horsepower motor, speed and incline controls on the handlebars, a 300 lb user capacity, and a pause feature that people particularly like.

7. LifeSpan Fitness TR200 Fold-N-Stor Compact Treadmill

This is our favorite choice among compact treadmills because its motor is larger (1.5 hp) than some compact machines and the LifeSpan TR200 also offers incline. It arrives pre-assembled with a blue LCD console to track progress and quick-start control features that allow you to customize your workout. Like standard-size models, it does monitor heart rate and has 6 exercise programs. It folds to 13.5 by 59.5 inches, but due to this compact size its belt is only 17 by 48 inches and its speed only goes to 8 mph.

8. Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

Another good compact model, this treadmill also has 1.5 hp motor and folds to a very small size of 10 by 59 inches with sturdy wheels that make it easy to move around. It does not have a display screen, but it still has controls to switch between manual or weight loss workout programs, monitor heart rate and listen to music, as well as a safety key to instantly stop the belt. Its running area is 17 by 45 inches with a speed of up to 6 mph.

9. Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill

This treadmill is the least expensive on our list, but is the most popular option from Merit, a company that offers a variety of low priced treadmills. It is easy to fold and quick to assemble, and has a good selection of program modes and progress tracking on a center LED screen and 2 side screens. With a smaller motor than most, the Merit 725T still offers up to 10 mph speed, a max of 10% incline, a thumb pulse monitor, and cup holders, though only has a 18 by 45 inch running surface.

10. TrekDesk Treadmill Desk

This is a new and truly unique product fulfilling the very specific need of exercising and working all at once. It is a very large desk with adjustable heights that fits most treadmills, providing a workspace of 34 by 72 inches with a manuscript holder, phone stand, file stand, cup holders and space for a computer. The shallow depth of the desk enables you to simultaneously work on the computer, talk on the phone, and reach the treadmill controls. Exercising at work can provide you more energy throughout the day, improved work efficiency, less muscle pain from constant sitting, and can allow you to meet your work and fitness goals at the same time. The manufacturer states that studies show that using this treadmill desk can actually increase blood flow to the brain, which can improve memory by up to 15 % over 6 months.